Aromatherapy stress relief helps seniors and caregivers

Caring for an older adult is a tough job. It’s also difficult to be the person whose body or mind is declining.

Because of chronic stress, older adults and caregivers often suffer from decreased quality of life and increased physical and mental health problems. That’s why managing stress is so critical.

Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils from plants in therapeutic ways, is a safe stress reduction technique that’s equally helpful for seniors and caregivers. Scent has a powerful effect on the body and can be used to improve health and well-being.

How scents relieve stress

Smells can instantly trigger significant memories as well as affect the body’s nervous system.

When the nose smells something, the olfactory nerve is triggered. It signals the parts of the brain that control emotions, mood, and memory. These parts also control the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for the fight-or-flight and relaxation responses. This explains why scents can cause physical reactions.

A research study even showed that lavender essential oil can have a calming effect similar to that of anti-anxiety medications. That’s powerful!

For example, when you step into a fancy spa and smell that soothing, pleasing scent, you start feeling calmer and more relaxed right away.

Benefits of aromatherapy for seniors and caregivers

Seniors and caregivers can benefit from aromatherapy in many ways, including:

Use aromatherapy at home

Aromatherapy is simple to put into practice. First, find some essential oil scents that you and your older adult enjoy. Then, experiment with different ways to scent the environment until you find some favorites.

There are dozens of scents available, so don’t feel limited to this list. Whatever scents please you or your older adult will work just fine.

Common uses for essential oils:

Scented lotion

Bath oils / shower tablets

Room diffusers

Pillow spray

Sachets

Diffuser jewelry – using small clay beads to release scent

Where to buy aromatherapy supplies

Scented lotions and candlesLotions and candles are probably the most commonly used forms of aromatherapy. You can find both scented lotions and candles almost anywhere, from drugstores to department stores. We especially like shopping for these at discount retailers like Target, Ross, and Marshalls.

Essential oilsIf you’re going to use a diffuser, you’ll need some oil to put inside. You can find essential oils (pure and blends) at online retailers and local natural foods stores. Major stores include Amazon (see options here) and Whole Foods.

Essential oil diffusersDiffusers help the scent of the essential oil spread throughout a room. Simpler versions use reeds and others are more like scented humidifiers (tip: don’t put essential oils in a regular humidifier, it will get clogged).

Bottom line

The possibilities are endless when it comes to aromatherapy. Experiment with different scents and different ways of scenting the room. Soon, you’ll find what works best for your older adult and for you.

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